Rate Lixson Cyriac

I am a qualified psychodynamic counsellor and psychotherapist based in London. I was trained in Birkbeck College (University of London) and the University of East London. Since then, I have spent several years working with a respected counselling foundation accredited with BACP as a counsellor and assessor. Currently, I am a member of the counselling team at HCC, Marlybebone and I have experience in student counselling at Birkbeck College, Westminster University and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

My primary approach to therapy is psychodynamic rooted in the psychoanalytic tradition. Considering a person’s experiences in the past and its possible links to the present difficulties is an important aspect of this way of working. We develop certain coping mechanisms, strategies, patterns of behaviour, and ways of experiencing the world around us as we go along in our life, especially in the early years. A lot of these psychological processes remain unconscious.

I have also been trained in CBT techniques and am accredited with APT (Association for psychological therapies). I tend to work collaboratively with clients to discern which approach is more effective in any given situation taking into consideration the presenting issues and the duration of counselling sessions.

Therapy offers a safe space to explore experiences in the past and the present and to recognise the fears, anxieties and mood differences thereof. How we responded to them in the past may no longer be helpful. Therapy provides a non-judgmental and reflective space to carefully think about them.

Apart from my counselling practice, I also have many years of experience in providing pastoral and spiritual care in a variety of settings including hospitals, care-home, schools, rehabilitation of the homeless, etc. Some clients wish to bring issues in this area to therapy and it is helpful to explore them.

Please feel free to telephone or email me to ask any questions or for further information.